This is a curated list rather than a hard news story: a music writer at American Songwriter picks four songs from 1970 that they say still give them "instant goosebumps," reflecting on how the era blended raw talent with imaginative songwriting to capture both personal emotion and social upheaval. The piece leans on nostalgia and cultural context, tying each track to a specific historical or biographical moment from that year.

The selections are Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young's "Ohio", written in response to the Kent State University shootings; Melanie's "Lay Down (Candles In The Rain)", inspired by her performance at Woodstock; The Beatles' "The Long And Winding Road", notable as it appeared on Let It Be, the band's final released album; and Elton John and Bernie Taupin's "Your Song", highlighted for its emotionally direct lyrics and melody.